More than five years after the PlayStation 5 first launched, Sony appears to be stepping up efforts to move remaining PlayStation 4 users onto its current-generation hardware. While millions of players continue to use the PS4, new messaging from Sony suggests the company is signalling that the long-running console is approaching the end of its active lifecycle.
The PlayStation 5 debuted in November 2020 under difficult circumstances. The global pandemic, widespread supply shortages, and aggressive scalping made the console notoriously hard to find for much of its early life. As a result, many players chose to remain on the PlayStation 4, which continued to receive new games and updates well into the PS5 era.
That decision was made easier by the PS4’s strong legacy. Since its release in 2013, the console has hosted some of Sony’s most celebrated exclusives, including Bloodborne, God of War, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and Horizon Zero Dawn. Now over 12 years old, the PS4 is widely regarded as one of Sony’s most successful platforms.
However, with the PlayStation 5 now firmly established and industry speculation growing around the eventual arrival of a PlayStation 6, Sony’s focus appears to be shifting more decisively toward the future.
According to a report shared on social media by @Zuby_Tech, PlayStation recently sent promotional messages directly to PS4 users encouraging them to upgrade. The message highlights recent and upcoming titles that are either exclusive to, or best experienced on, the PlayStation 5.
PlayStation Is Sending From PlayStation Message To PlayStation 4 Users To Upgrade To PlayStation 5!#PlayStation4 #PS4 #PlayStation5 #PS5 pic.twitter.com/GsRb94IiAE
— @Zuby_Tech (@Zuby_Tech) January 27, 2026
“Whether you’re catching up with hits from 2025 like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, ARC Raiders and Ghost of Yotei or getting ready for the most-anticipated games of 2026 including SAROS, 007 First Light, Nioh 3, and so much more, now’s the perfect time to upgrade to a PS5 console,” the message reads.
The communication reportedly includes a QR code that directs users to current PS5 deals, reinforcing the idea that Sony is actively nudging PS4 owners to make the jump.
The move has sparked mixed reactions among players. Some see the message as a natural step, noting that older consoles eventually lose network features and support. Others, however, have expressed frustration, with some suggesting that the PS4 may be their final Sony console before moving to other platforms such as Xbox, PC, or Nintendo’s next-generation hardware.
Sony has not officially announced an end date for PlayStation 4 support, but the timing of this campaign aligns with recent reports that certain PS4 features and services are set to be gradually phased out. Historically, Sony has maintained support for previous-generation consoles for several years, but reduced first-party releases and infrastructure changes often signal that the transition is underway.
One detail that caught the attention of some fans is the absence of Grand Theft Auto VI from Sony’s list of anticipated 2026 titles, despite the game’s enormous profile. Rockstar Games has already confirmed the PlayStation 5 title, but its omission from Sony’s messaging raised eyebrows among observers.
For now, the PlayStation 4 remains operational and widely used, but Sony’s latest outreach suggests that its era is clearly winding down. As the PS5 enters the latter half of its generation, the company appears determined to consolidate its player base on newer hardware before the next major leap forward.
